Hope that Tufton’s shot will nudge other health workers
Published:Monday | March 22, 2021 | 12:25 AMRasbert Turner/Gleaner Writer
HEALTHCARE OFFICIALS have expressed optimism that Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton’s decision on Friday to get the COVID-19 jab will be a shot in the arm for the islandwide vaccination drive.
Tufton and Prime Minister Andrew Holness had come under increasing pressure to lead by example, but they had reserved action, they said, because they were mindful of public sentiment that the elderly and healthcare workers were priority candidates.
Holness will get his jab on Monday morning.
St Catherine’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr Francia Prosper-Chen was hopeful last week that Tufton’s vaccination at the Spanish Town Hospital would encourage healthcare workers to the jab.
Approximately 40 per cent of primary-care health workers had received their shot at the 26 vaccination centres.
The senior practitioner said that a deliberate effort was under way to sensitise healthcare workers on the importance of being vaccinated.
“We aim to educate them (the health centre workers) to ease their fears and take the vaccine as it is very important for the front-line workers,” Prosper-Chen said.
It was revealed that the aim is to vaccinate 1,000 persons per site in the next phase of the programme.
Meanwhile, chief executive officer of the Spanish Town Hospital, Dwayne Francis, said it was encouraging to have the health minister take the symbolic step.
“We have enjoyed a satisfactory level of workers’ participation, with 70 per cent of the 1,200 employees, including contracted workers, being vaccinated since the start of the exercise. We aim to have 100 per cent compliance,” Francis said.
It was revealed that the cadre of employees includes doctors, nurses, health records staff, porters, sanitation and ancillary workers, and security personnel.
Jamaica has received more than 64,000 doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine - 50,000 gifted by the Indian government and 14,400 purchased under the COVAX Facility.
Tufton got his shot around 2:50 p.m. on Friday.
“It is not painful. I am just a bit nervous with so many of you (journalists) here today. I have deliberately chosen the Spanish Town Hospital to show that we are in a state of readiness,” said Tufton, citing that he preferred to get his shot in the parish where he serves as member of parliament.
The minister represents St Catherine West Central.